Upper Hutt Craft Brewery Panhead Has Opened a Pop-Up Bar in Auckland

The craft beer scene is heating up along the Viaduct. Just last month rooftop bar Dr Rudi's launched the waterfront's first microbrewery. Now, Upper Hutt's Panhead Custom Ales has made the transition from an old tyre factory to the Auckland harbour, making its mark with an impressive summer pop-up.

Formerly a nightclub, the space has been completely stripped back and given a unique "boutique bogan" makeover. A 14-strong tap system fashioned with a supercharged V8 emerges as a dramatic centrepiece and the art of Wellington tattoo artist and illustrator Simon Morse flows from Panhead's bottles onto the walls and seating.

The pop-up bar will give local beer lovers a chance to experience the proper Panhead experience, with several "weird, wonderful and intense" releases that haven't yet made it this far north. The brewery's Upper Hutt operation is currently cranking out a different beer every week.

Visitors will find: Busted Knuckle, a Russian imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels for a vinous tang; Bug Crusher, aged in Chardonnay barrels and fermented with a proprietary yeast from Crux Fermentation Project in the US; Batch 003, a milk IPA sweetened with lactose from actual cows; and Snake Oil, a soured IPA which premiered at this year's Beervana.

"We've also got about five or six one-off beers that no-one's tried yet that'll be available at opening." says General Manager Josh.

As well as brews, the bar features a small wine selection, a beer cocktail list and a small food menu designed to work with what's on tap — there's a fat burger, American chili dog, jalapeño poppers, Texas smoked brisket, slow-cooked five alarm chili, a penitentiary platter and pecan nuts glazed in blacktop stout and roasted in bacon lard.

Completing the bogan theme, the space features a jet black pool table, pinball machines and dart board, and a stage that will feature a lineup of live rock, rockabilly and blues.

The Panhead Viaduct Custom Bar will be open until March. Find it at 204 Quay Street, Auckland Viaduct. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11.30am – late.